Multipurpose alarm device

• US 4,998,096 A
• Filed: 06/26/1989
• Issued: 03/05/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony Benvenuti
• Original Assignee: Anthony Benvenuti
• Inventors: Benvenuti, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/371,053
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605, 340/691, 340/521, 340/545, 200/61.05, 200/61.93
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

A hot water tank leakage detection system having a conventional smoke alarm unit 10, conductor pair 20, and probe 30. Conductor pair 20 is removably connectable to alarm unit 10 through male/female two conductor jack pair 15 and 25 respectively. In use probe 30 is placed in the predicted water shed of hot water tank 40.

Claims

1. In a conventional alarm unit, the improvement comprising:

a pair of conductors electrically communicating with the input terminals of the alarm sounding circuit of said alarm unit; and

, at the other end of said pair of conductors,

a bipolar sensor probe comprised of a conventional two-conductor male mini phone plug, each pole thereof electrically communicating with one of said pair of conductors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conventional alarm unit is a conventional smoke alarm unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pair of conductors communicates with said input terminals through a male/female plug/jack pair.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plug/jack pair comprises a female two-conductor mini phone jack electrically connected to said input terminals, and a male two-conductor mini phone plug at an end of said pair of conductors opposite said probe.

5. A method of detecting leaks form a hot water tank comprising the steps of:

(a) connecting at least two conductors to the alarm sounding portion of a conventional alarm unit, which two conductors terminate at their ends opposite the alarm unit in a bipolar sensor probe, such that the opposite poles of said probe are in close proximity to, but insulated from, each other;

(b) placing said sensor probe beneath said water tank;

(c) wrapping said probe and said water tank in a moisture-containing wrap such that said probe is located in a lower portion of said wrap.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said probe is placed on the water tank'"'"'s support surface within the water shed of said tank.

7. An apparatus for detecting a number of different alarm conditions comprising in combination:

(a) a conventional alarm unit, said alarm unit equipped with a two-conductor female mini phone jack electrically connected to the input terminals of the alarm sounding circuit of said alarm unit;

(b) a two-conductor male mini phone plug having two poles capable of being bridged to close an otherwise open electrical circuit during the occurrence of one of said conditions; and

(c) a pair of conductors electrically communicating with said two poles of said sensor probe and with a second male mini phone plug connectable to said female mini phone jack.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said alarm unit is comprised of a conventional ceiling mounted smoke alarm.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said poles are electrically opposite and whereby said alarm sounding circuit is activated whenever said two opposite poles are bridged.